Dianne Durham, first Black national gymnastics champion, dead at 52

FEB 21 1985, FEB 22 1985; Dianne Durham concentrates with split second intensity as she releases fro

Source: Jim Preston / Getty

Trailblazer Dianne Durham, the first Black senior national gymnastics champion, has died at age 52. The Gary, IN native’s husband, Tom Drahozal, confirmed she passed away at a Chicago hospital after a short illness.

List Of Celebrities + Public Figures Who Died in 2021

Drahozal told ESPN:

“She passed peacefully. She was the love of my life and everything I could have asked for. She was as beautiful a person away from gymnastics as she was within the sport.”

Dianne Durham spoke to the Gymnastics Insider after receiving her Hall of Fame honor in 2017:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sanf0_9cFos

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) emerges with his grandmother,

List Of Celebrities + Public Figures Who Died in 2021

Launch gallery

List Of Celebrities + Public Figures Who Died in 2021

1. Barack Obama’s Grandmother Sarah Obama Passes Away At 99

Source:Getty 1 of 22

2. R&B Singer Reggie Warren Of Troop Passes Away At 52

2 of 22

3. “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, a legendary boxing middleweight champion, dies March 13 at the age of 66

3 of 22

4. NABJ Founding Executive Director Paul H. Brock

4 of 22

5. Singer Jo Thompson died in 2021 at 92 years old.

5 of 22

6. Motown Legend Mary Wilson Of The Supremes Dead At 76

6 of 22

7. Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh Dead At 70

7 of 22

8. Civil Rights Trailblazer Vernon Jordan Dies At 85

8 of 22

9. Antoine Hodge

9 of 22

10. Legendary NFL Coach Marty Schottenheimer dies at 77 in Charlotte

10 of 22

11. Dustin Diamond Dead At 44

11 of 22

12. Former Temple Owls Coach John Chaney Has Died At 89 Years Old

12 of 22

13. Cicely Tyson, Hollywood Trailblazer For Black Actresses, Has Died At 96 Years Old

13 of 22

14. Cloris Leachman Has Died At 94 Years Old

14 of 22

15. Larry King Has Passed Away at the Age of 87

15 of 22

16. Gregory Sierra of ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘Barney Miller’ Dies at Age 83

16 of 22

17. Magician Siegfried Fischbacher (L)died of cancer at 81 years old

Source:Getty 17 of 22

18. Deezer D (Dearon Thompson)

Source:Getty 18 of 22

19. Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda

Source:Getty 19 of 22

20. Tanya Roberts

Source:Getty 20 of 22

21. Football Hall of Fame Running Back Floyd Little

Source:Getty 21 of 22

22. Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal

Source:Getty 22 of 22

Continue reading List Of Celebrities + Public Figures Who Died in 2021

List Of Celebrities + Public Figures Who Died in 2021

As we begin 2021, we have already begun to lose celebs and public figures that have impacted us over the years. Sports legends like Denver Broncos great Floyd Little and Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal are among the legendary figures who have passed away in 2021. On Monday, March 29th, Sarah Ogwel Onyango Obama, the matriarch of the Obama family and step-grandmother to former United States President Barack Obama, passed away. Read more below. List Of Celebrities + Public Figures Who Died in 2021 As we deal with the looming threat of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic along with the facts of life, we know that death is inevitable. However, the memories of these amazing people will always live on. Check out the list below. RELATED: We Remember: Celebrities Who Died In 2020 RELATED: Public Figures And Celebs Who Tested Positive For Or Died Due To COVID-19 (Updated December 2020)

Dianne Durham, first Black national gymnastics champion, dead at 52 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com

More By @ACThePlug